The final leg of
the Orchard Junior Chess Grand Prix Championship came to a close on
Saturday 4th November at the Nestle Sports Club. The
event attracted 120 enthusiastic Chessists. Those in the Under 10,
14 and 20 categories also competed in the earlier legs which took
place in April and July this year, while 49 first time participants
rose to the challenges presented in the newly introduced “Novices”
category.

At the close of
tournament organized by the Trinidad & Tobago Chess Foundation,
Christopher Raphael of St. Mary’s College walked away with the first
prize in the Under 20 category. Raphael stole the show edging out
his nearest rival by half point.

Following closely
behind in second and third places were Keron Cabralis of Arima Boy’s
R.C. School and Sterling Ramroach of Presentation College, San
Fernando.

Additionally, the
intellect and problem solving skills of enthusiasts competing in the
Under 14 category were tested, resulting in Prithvi Ramakrishnan of
the International School of Port of Spain seizing the lead and
copping the title of first place winner in the Under 14 category.
Jayson Paul of QRC nabbed second while Jarryon Paul of Diamond Vale
Government Primary and Joseph Gill of Fatima College came in joint
third place.

Competitors in the
Under 10 category saw Prasanna Ramakrishnan of Dunross Preparatory
School, Jonathan Chong of Holy Name Preparatory School and Kellee
John of Christian Primary Academy emerge as first, second and third
place winners respectively.

Russel Frank,
Nestle Trinidad & Tobago’s Category Sales Development Manager for
Refreshing Beverages witnessed the games and reported that “we are
excited to see such a large turn out and happy to be associated with
the event as, like our brands, chess promotes healthy minds and
healthy bodies. As the proud sponsor of this event, we were elated
with the introduction of the “Novices” category in the
Championship’s final leg, as it exposed 49 new comers to the
intensity of competition in a sympathetic environment.” The proud
winners in this category were Velson Lewis of St. Mary’s College in
first place, Siddhartha Jahorie of Presentation College, San
Fernando in second place and Mahendra Singh of Cruepe Presbyterian
Primary School in third place. Frank congratulated all participants
and commended them on the perfectly natural choice that they made to
be part of the Orchard Junior Chess Grand Prix.

The titles of Best
Female player in the Under 12 categories were captured by Melissa
Pereira of Christian Primary Academy. Winners were presented with
cash prizes, hampers chock full of Orchard drinks and trophies. T&T
Chess Foundation President, Edison Raphael addressed the audience
comprising participants and their parents at the prize-giving
ceremony (staged immediately at the close of the games). He said
“the T&T Chess Foundation is pleased to be associated with Nestle
Trinidad & Tobago Ltd. in the staging of the Orchard Junior Chess
Grand Prix Championship. By partnering with us in this event,
Nestle T&T has made a meaningful contribution which will serve to
build intelligence and to develop the intellect, morals and ethics
of the tournament’s participants”.